Wild Land News no 65, Winter 2005/2006

Archipelago Forum Article

John Digney reports on a new initiative in the Staffa archipelago

The Isle of Staffa, with its remarkable columnar basalt formations. To the left is the Dutchman's Cap, the most southerly of the Treshnish Isles.
Photo:Chris Cant

The west coast of Mull must be one of the finest and most unspoilt parts of Scotland, with its dramatic cliffs, magnificent sea lochs and high hills (Ben More is the only island Munro outside Skye). The overall scene, however, is further enhanced by a scattering of smaller islands, and a new initiative, the Archipelago Forum has been established by some of the owners to ensure the special qualities of these islands are safeguarded for future generations.

The innermost of the islands is Eorsa, sitting at the middle of Loch na Keal. Further out and of similar size are Inch Kenneth and Little Colonsay. The largest two, Ulva and Gometra, are effectively one island at low water, and Ulva is separated from Mull by only the narrowest of straits. Further out is Staffa, the best known of the group with its famous Fingal's Cave. Beyond it lie the Treshnish Isles, a small archipelago in themselves; their most southerly outpost is Bac Mor or the Dutchman's Cap, a distinctive shape on the horizon from all angles.

The archipelago lies within the Loch na Keal National Scenic Area, and although parts of it are already covered by a variety of conservation designations, the Forum hopes to achieve recognition of the importance of the group as a whole by seeking Unesco World Heritage Site status. That status has been enjoyed since 1986 by the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, which has the same columnar basalt formations that are so prominent on Staffa and elsewhere in the archipelago. Some of the islands are uninhabited, while the others are only sparsely populated and there are no public roads. The absence of intensive agriculture helps to ensure that the surrounding waters are among the cleanest in the world, and the rich variety of wildlife includes whales, basking sharks, otters, porpoises, dolphins, sea eagles, puffins and corncrakes among many others. All of this, plus the connection with St. Columba and his 6th century foundation on neighbouring Iona, adds up to a remarkable natural and cultural heritage.

The aims of the Forum can be summarised as follows:

To seek Unesco World Heritage Site status
To encourage "wild land" status
To ensure this outstanding wild area will be enjoyed by future generations
To support traditional fishing, agriculture and tourism in the archipelago
To implement an area wide pro-active management plan
To promote research and education

At this early stage the Forum is seeking reaction to its proposals from those who are likely to be interested in the initiative. If you would like simply to express support, make suggestions or ask any questions, please contact:
Roc Sandford, Gometra Farm, Isle of Gometra, Ulva Ferry, Isle of Mull, Argyll PA73 6NA. Tel: 07740431632. E-mail: roc at gometra.org